Life sentence for killer who stabbed woman to death while she slept

A murderer from Dartford has been jailed for life after stabbing a woman to death while she slept before sexually abusing her body.

Ernestas Juska attacked his victim with a large kitchen knife as she lay in bed, inflicting catastrophic injuries.

Juska was arrested during the morning of 17 August 2024, after approaching a member of public in Wordsworth Way, Dartford and telling them to call police as he had killed someone.

He was detained by attending patrols at a bus stop, before directing officers to the crime scene at his home in nearby Henderson Drive.

Confessions 

When they entered the property, the 39-year-old victim was found deceased on a bed having suffered multiple stab wounds.

After Juska was taken into custody, he told officers the victim was a family friend and had been staying overnight. 

He said he killed her as he wanted ‘to lash out’ and that it had been important she wasn’t someone who was close to him.

Juska explained that in the evening prior to the attack he had been drinking and consumed cocaine.

At around 6.40am on the morning of the murder, he chose a knife from the kitchen and after climbing the stairs entered a bedroom and attacked the victim as she slept.

He also admitted he later went on to sexually abuse her and was charged with murder and committing a sexual offence against a deceased female.

Juska warned he may never be released

Juska, 21, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.

He was sentenced on Friday 28 November 2025 to life imprisonment and will have to serve a minimum of almost 25 years before he can be considered for parole.

Judge Justice Dexter Dias KC told the court Juska was a 'deeply disturbed individual' responsible for an 'extreme explosion of sexual and sadistic conduct’. He added ‘there may never become a time where it is safe to release you’. 

Detective Sergeant Max Gregory said:

‘Juska was responsible for an act of shocking and senseless brutality, seemingly without reason or any hint of remorse. 'He targeted a helpless victim as she slept and inflicted multiple injuries during a sustained and savage attack. The fact that he went on to commit further appalling acts after her death shows a level of depravity which defies belief. 'Juska’s actions have devastated a family and taken away a much-loved daughter and sister. We are only relieved that he has now been jailed for life and can no longer pose a threat to anyone.’